BROADCASTERS IN THE MAKING - Senior Linnea Donnelley films budding broadcaster Jeremy Peacock, a sophomore, as they practice taping an episode of BHS Today.

If you’ve flipped by Channel 22 in the past, you may have noticed it was in bad shape. The channel was looking pretty lifeless, and was in desperate need of a major revamp.

But thanks to the infusion of $150,000 from cable franchise fees, Channel 22 – or B2B – is looking all shiny and new.

Dustin Devlin, the new educational TV coordinator, was hired with these funds. When Devlin was hired, he said they not only wanted someone to run the station, but to create what it will be.

Devlin, who grew up in Barnstable, attended UMASS Amherst and received a degree in communications. He moved to Alabama, but says he always knew he’d come back to Barnstable.

Devlin has worked with some major broadcasting networks, including ESPN and CBS. He has also worked on the PBS show “Cooks Country” and was a freelancer for DGA Productions in Boston.

B2B’s purpose will be to provide educational programming and showcase what’s going on in the community. As part of the channel’s educational content, B2B will be streaming science-based footage from NASA 360, as well as political and government-based footage from pegmedia.org and educational footage from linktv.org.

But B2B’s focus is meant to be district-wide, Devlin says, covering grades K-12. Devlin said he’s working on a documentary with a Gateway class at the intermediate school. He also said that B2B will be airing Drama Club performances after 8 p.m., sports games (which he said is a big focus for B2B), a tour of the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, the No Place for Hate Rally and much more.

Cable advisory committee chair Nancy Richard said that the committee is excited about the new Channel 22 and what the high school is now doing with educational programming. Richard, who serves as executive director of Plymouth’s community access channel, said the committee negotiated with Comcast for the new Channel 22, and that its “very pleased” with the results.

“Kudos to Bethann Orr and Patricia Grenier,” Richard said. “Channel 22 will be a great asset to the town.”

According to Orr, head of the technology department at BHS, the cost to run Channel 22 will be between $100,000 and $150,000 a year.

This year’s grant, approved by Town Manager John Klimm, is a one-time commitment, with the possibility of future funding based on progress made this year. Klimm said this week that the understanding for this year’s funding was that substantial progress be made by April.

Barnstable receives annual funds equal to 5 percent of Comcast cable television revenues from Barnstable subscribers. As town manager and the one authorized to enter into the contract, Klimm has sole discretion over how those funds are spent.

Orr says that they’re excited about building a new infrastructure, and especially excited to have Devlin on board.

“He has such a fresh perspective,” Orr said.

Jeffrey Billard, BHS broadcasting teacher, says that it’s exciting to have new state-of-the-art equipment and believes the channel will be a great resource for people in the community. As for “BHS Today,” the one-time daily broadcast at the high school, Billard hopes it will be back on sometime after mid-term exams.

“[B2B] will help teach communications skills and will let the community know what we’re doing at BHS,” Billard said. “It’s a positive thing all around.”

Billard also said that he’s in a “learning curve process” now with his students, trying to teach them how to use the new equipment. According to Devlin, media workshops will be held over the summer.

“We want to show students by example,” he said. “We’re not just videotaping footage; we’re packing it.”

Devlin’s three-year goal is to have everything seen on TV to be streamed 24/7 online. Footage shown on B2B can be found at www.barnstable22.blogspot.com.

Devlin said that B2B is open to suggestions, saying that they’re evolving as they go.

So if you find yourself channel surfing, stop by Channel 22. You never know what you might find.

David Still II contributed to the reporting and writing of this story.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.